Lemon Cheesecake Creme Brulee Bars

I know I asked for your input on what I should post today and a lot of you said breakfast, but I couldn’t not post this recipe. It was burning a hole in my culinary pocket. It was the force of the lemon that made me do it. Lemon desserts and I go way back. I seriously think my addiction started in the womb. {#forreals} My momma likes lemon as much if not more than I do. Got me some good genetics! {Except for the humungo caboose I inherited…another story for a different time}

So, yes. These lemon cheesecake creme brulee bars are ridiculous. And so devilishly easy that you will be tempted to make these time and time again. I first came up with this recipe after having an awful dessert that was this exact concept but tasted so royally disgusting that I had a hard time shelling out the seven bucks it cost. That night I’d vow to make it better. So I did. I first tested them on a baby shower crowd and they went like hot cakes. Then I made them for my sister-in-law’s birthday because she’s as much of a lemon freak as I am. Of course she liked them too. Then I ‘tested’ them again and ate half the pan. Then I swore the recipe off because I knew if I’d make them AGAIN, I’d eat the.entire.thing. So, I did actually forgot about them until a few days ago when I had a few lemons loitering around my crisper drawers and found a package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese hiding behind ‘x’ pounds of butter. The perfect storm. So I made them again. This time with you all in mind! {You’re welcome.} Take a peek at the step by step photos and experience the beauty that is this dessert.

Here’s what you need:

For the bottom layer, mix together some butter, sugar, vanilla and flour. Basically, you’re making a quick shortbread. And, try not to melt your butter in the microwave while trying to soften it. Don’t be like me.

So, once it all comes together, that’s it! 1st layer done.

Press this dough into an 8×8 glass dish. I like to line mine with parchment, but that’s totally optional! Lightly spray your pan with non-stick and you should be good to go. Also, my dough was particularly sticky because I melted my darn butter. If you don’t melt your butter, you won’t have this problem. Again, don’t be like me.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 glass dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In large bowl, combine butter, sugar, flour and vanilla until dough forms. Press evenly into the bottom of prepared dish. Set aside. In another bowl, whip cream cheese. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Scrape sides and mix again. Pour in egg, lemon zest and juice. Mix until mixture starts to thicken, 20-30 seconds. Scrape sides and mix again briefly. Pour overtop cookie bottom and smooth the top. Bake 20-25 minutes or until cheesecake is set completely. Cool, then refrigerate. Cut into 16 squares and separate. Sprinkle the tops of each square with 1 teaspoon of sugar and spread around with finger to evenly distribute sugar. Torch the tops until the sugar melts and turns an amber color. {If you don't have a torch, place under the broiler}. Return squares to fridge until ready to serve.

83 Comments

I’ve already expressed my opinion on these on twitter but I want to record it here for posterity. I love the fact that it’s a little shortbread base, that always works so well with lemon and that crunchy sugar topping just puts it over the edge!

You’re so talented. I would never had thought of doing this!! Gosh, this is just amazing. I definitely will have to try this — they’re so pretty and cute (i love to eat cute things! haha)..awesome, Lauren!!

These ARE evil. And, you are evil. Obviously you peeked into my pantry because I have all of this stuff just sitting there begging, as well as a lemon tree that’s producing faster than I can use them. I am so making these. Right away. Thanks!

These bars look very delicious!! I’m really gonna try them. But I have a question, I’m from the Netherlands and I would like to know how much fat contains your Philadelphia cream cheese? So I can try to find right cream cheese here?